Pennington Gentlemen's Brunch ignites fire within young men

About 60 students at Pennington School gathered Wednesday morning for the second-annual Gentlemen’s Brunch to receive inspiring messages – including from incoming Superintendent Demario Strickland – about “igniting the fire within.” 

Click here to view the full photo gallery

Dr. Strickland told the sixth- through eighth-graders about his challenging beginnings in the east side of Buffalo, where he said roaches swarmed through his home. 

“But I ended up with a full scholarship to college,” he told his young charges, who listened intently. “Make sure you do your best in school. That’s how my life changed. You are capable of being anything you want to be. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do well. I know you can be successful.” 

The schools chief noted that his Rochester district comprises 22,000 students across 46 schools – and stressed that he will now be able to provide the roughly 6,500 students in Mount Vernon a lot of attention. 

“I’m going to be getting to know you all,” he said.  kicked off the proceedings by saying everyone needs to have a goal and that failures are just bumps in the road.

A group of city firefighters also were on hand to this time ignite the proverbial fire. One of them, Lt. Javius Jones, urged the children to follow their dreams and reach for excellence. 

“I love this career,” said the 25-year firefighter, whose two children are headed for college. “You have to keep progressing in life.” 

When Jones asked the students what the difference is between a job and a career, one replied that the former is essentially drudgery while the latter is enjoyable. 

Another fireman, Jomo Belfor, impressed the students with his varied accomplishments in addition to joining the department, including a stint playing basketball overseas, owning a nonprofit and running a construction business. 

“Success comes in many forms. You can make money with your hands as well as with your mind,” he said. “If you can’t read and write, how can you sign a contract and get paid? I’ve made many mistakes in my life – it’s what you do after you make mistakes that counts.” 

“I’m here as an example,” he added. 

The Mount Vernon Police Department also was represented at the event by Chief Marcel Olifiers, who described how he rose through the ranks from D.A.R.E. officer to becoming the city’s top cop. 

“In our lives, the people we surround ourselves with are very important. Look at the people around you and ask if your friends are making you feel better,” he said. “Losing is not trying – we all need help along the way.” 

Micah Ellington, a sixth-grader, said he was inspired by the firefighters’ messages. 

“I didn’t know all this stuff before. I am more motivated,” he said, adding that he aspired to be a pilot.  

Another sixth-grader, Tristan Hernandez, also took the event to heart and is aiming high. 

“I want to be an astronaut. That would be pretty cool,” he said. 

Eighth-grader Joseph Viegas likened the message to the movie “Ratatouille,” about a cute rat who dreams of becoming a chef and tries to achieve the goal by forming an unlikely alliance with the eatery’s garbage boy. 

“It shows that you can learn something from anyone,” Joseph said, adding that he dreams of becoming an animator. 
Dr. Satish Jagnandan, Director of Assessment, Mathematics and Science, used numbers to hammer home the value of education, noting that a student drops out of school every 20 seconds. 

The math and science educator stressed the importance of taking Algebra II, chemistry and physics, saying that 95 percent of students who do so graduate from college. 

He noted that “90 percent of life is just showing up,” but cited the winning college majors that can lead to high-paying careers that can earn college grads six-figure salaries. Among them are electrical engineering, computer engineering and aerospace engineering.” 

“Who doesn’t want to make $100,000 right out of college?” he said. 

Youth development specialist Brother Arthur led a small group of students in a game of Simon Says to show the difference between hearing and listening. 

“When adults give you knowledge, it usually passes in one ear and out the other,” he said. 

He ended his remarks with a single word, peace, which stands for “positive education always causes elevation.” 

Click here to view the full photo gallery